Time flies, as they say. And this PC Registry Software is at it's 2nd birthday. There are more pc registry tools on the market than ever before. All claiming to cleanse your computer of more killer errors than any other product.

So which product am I still using? If you've read my review of Registry Easy, you'll know that I thought it was a pretty amazing tool. But how has it fared with time? Have it's owners sat back and not updated it? Does it compare to today's other tools?

The problem with my reviews is that I don't BS about products. If something works, I'll give it credit. If a reg tool really sucks, I'll say it does. If you want to buy it then that's cool. I'm not in anyone's pocket so I tell it like it is. I've had more than a few emails from disgruntled software makers who didn't like what I had to say about their product.

But getting back to Registry Easy. Yes - I still use this tool as the main and only way I clean my computer's registry. It's icon is on my desktop as we speak. I continually test competing tools and there's just nothing available that is as good as Registry Easy. There are plenty of scam products mind you!

I'm pleased to say that the team behind this software have continued to provide upgrades to this program. The tool is in fact now in version 4.7 (At the time of writing this...!) And it's just a really good way to scan and repair your PCs registry. The extra tools you get are also a real asset. I don't like tools that are complicated and Registry Easy is very simple to use.

So the answer to the question 'which tool are you using today?' is Registry Easy. Hands down still the best tool, 2 years on from my original review.

Try a free scan to see how Registry Easy does on your PC

Many people out there are still using XP over Vista - including me! And when it comes to cleaning the registry, you never be too careful. So let's take a new look at backing up your XP system.

Windows XP has its own back up function so there's no need to purchase extra software to do it. Those of you that use Windows XP Professional Edition, Windows Back Up Utility is ready to use. If you use Windows XP Home Edition there are a few steps you need to do before you can use the back up feature.

The Windows Back Up Utility is located on the XP Home Edition installation disk.

1. Insert the installation disk into the CD drive and at the XP Welcome screen click Perform Additional Tasks.
   
2. Look for the ValueAdd feature after you click Browse This CD.
   
3. Click the Msft folder
   
4. Click NTBackup
   
5. Double click NTBackup.msi to install the back up feature.
   
6. Now you're ready to start backing up files and documents.

To start a back up

1. Click Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools and Back Up. This launches the Back Up Wizard which takes you through all the steps.
   
2. Go through each step carefully to decide what you want to back up. There is also the option to choose if you want to restore documents and settings in the event of a system malfunction or crash.
   
3. Choose My Documents and Settings to only back up your personal files, documents, photos, music, etc. Do not choose All Information On This Computer as this will back up everything including any software installed. This is not only time consuming but also uses a lot of storage space and basically isn't necessary. In the event your computer crashes you can use the XP Installation Cd's to restore system files and settings. The only items that need backed up are those that cannot be replaced such as personal data, documents, photos, music, etc. The next part of back up is where to store the back up information. If your PC has two hard drives, C: and D: you probably use C: drive all the time so it would be safe to back up all personal information onto D: drive. Another option is to buy an external storage device such as a zip drive.
   
4. Click Next then Finish and the back up process begins.

Now that you are familiar with how to back up XP, schedule a time to do it on either a daily, weekly or monthly basis, depending on how much you create or modify files. The more often you schedule a back up the less new or modified files there will be to back up. The whole process could actually take only 10 minutes or so.

You could also purchase third party software to back up your files and documents however the easiest and quickest way is to use XP's back up feature.